The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is proud to present the third-year student ensemble show, titled PROTEUS, co-directed by international artists Sage Bachtler Cushman (2010 NICA alumna) and Hugo Oliveira, showing 18 – 28 June at NICA National Circus Centre in Prahran.
With a postmodern deconstructionist point of departure, a peculiar world sets in. Voyaging through the city’s architectural spaces, micro and macro spaces unfold into an expanse of connective pathways, seclusive rooms and celebratory lairs.
Audiences will be offered microcosmic glimpses into an engrossing civilization inhabited by a collection of modern oddballs. Within these intimate settings, Proteus builds momentum while meandering through life circumstances.
The fragmentation of shapes and reconfiguration of form transpires through set, costume and design, rendered through circus, movement and theatre. In this dimension, mutable and ever-changing forces drive perpetual transformation.
NICA’s third-year ensemble present their strongest character work yet, while showcasing innovative skills across double Chinese pole, hula hoops, aerial rope, teeterboard, roue cyr, and more.
A distinguished 2010 alumna, NICA proudly welcomes Sage back on home soil to co-create with the next generation of global circus artists, paving the way for a bold reimagining of the industry. With a shared repertoire of accolades, awards, and professional recognitions, Sage and Hugo bring a directive approach grounded in the observation of human nature, revived through physical language. Their nuanced integration of circus, theatre, and movement creates a distinctive artistic dialect that evokes a visceral, intuitive response.
Cushman says, “The Graduating class of 2025 is extraordinarily talented and works so cohesively as a group. What a delight to get to engage with, deepen and expand these students’ artistry, challenging them to be brave, creative and playful as we devise. Within a visceral and physical language these students have flourished, building the internal space of these characters, their interactions and their world, PROTEUS. For both my co-director Hugo and I, It is enormously satisfying to create a show in this building, with these students, while holding the intention to inspire, support, and guide them in their next chapter as emerging professional artists… It has been especially moving for me, as I gained the foundations of this language through the guidance of my specialty trainer Helene Embling. What honour and a full circle accomplishment to return to NICA to work among this extraordinary faculty and these skilled artists!”
This production is supported by an exceptionally talented Creative Team: Costume Design by Miriam Robinson (Rope: A Play, 23rd Theatre Company, 2025) with wardrobe assistance from Melbourne Polytechnic Costume Design Students; Set Design by Barrie Michael Baxter (Baxter) (Wunderage, Circus Oz, 2019); Sound Design and Composition by Ian Moorhead (Your Name Means Dream, Red Stitch, 2024); and Lighting Design by Lisa Mibus (Archimedes War, Darebin Arts Speakeasy, 2021).
The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is Australia’s Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts, offering Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts. NICA is a member of the Arts8 organisation and is one of Australia’s unique circus education and training centres, funded by the Australian Government, Office for the Arts. Graduates of NICA have gone on to pursue exciting careers both locally and internationally and have contributed to the development of Australia’s vibrant circus arts industry
June 18 – 28
